Wednesday, March 5, 2008

PRIVATIZING EDUCATION

1You’ll ask why I'm antagonisticTo privatizing government?It’s not just that I’m communistic;But am a diehard malcontentWho does believe that a democracyIs better than an aristocracyOf corporations who’ll pig offOur taxes like a public trough.Take Kipp and Green Dot Education-With monies from both Gates and Broad-Who argue schooling’s public modeIs at the end of its duration;And will be, too, if we give way.Without a fight,they’re here to stay.2They base their plans on high stakes testingWhich likely’s a norm referenced test;Which means, in turn, they’ll be investingOnly in children who do best.And with them, education’s axis-Which is a portion of all’s taxes-Is siphoned off from public schoolsSo that what’s left looks like Kabul’s.And then these self-fulfilling prophets-Because norm referencing makes sureWho does the worst are very poor-Will gladly show how it pays off. It’sCertain to give a new gestaltTo poor folks thinking: “It’s our fault.”3No doubt that being poor’s arresting.But public education isSupposed to help your kids. InvestingIn schools as if they were a bizBy using public funds dismissesMost poor kids down to such abyssesIt’s little wonder that they fightTo get out of the awful frightThat passes for their education.It’s teachers though should take the leadIn helping them escape the greedThat rapes the coffers of taxation.But organizing teacherkindRequires a union of one mind.